WILL THE BRONCOS CUT DOWN ON PENALTIES?

In all three phases, the Broncos will look to play cleaner against the Bengals.

Denver accrued 10 penalties for 90 yards in a tight Week 3 loss to the Chargers, and several of them played a defining role in the outcome.

An offsides penalty on a punt gave LA a fresh set of downs in the first quarter and flipped the field position. Three defensive penalties on a third-quarter Chargers drive helped Los Angeles tack on a field goal. An offensive pass interference call near the goal line forced Denver to settle for a field goal late in the game instead of taking a two-score lead. And a late unnecessary roughness penalty aided the Chargers’ tying touchdown drive.

“We’re high in that category, three weeks in [albeit], but still nonetheless, defensively, offensively, [we are] near the back of the league in penalties,” Payton said of the penalties. “Special teams, we’ve been clean. I think we’re fifth. What are the things that put you behind? What keeps you from being inefficient on first and second down? That’s something that there’s probably a handful of reasons.”

Offensively, the Broncos will aim to avoid penalties — and improve their overall first- and second-down efficiency — to create more manageable third-down scenarios. Against Los Angeles, the Broncos faced 10 third downs of at least eight yards — and eight of those required the Broncos to gain at least 10 yards. Only three of Denver’s third downs were third-and-5 or shorter — and the Broncos converted two of the three chances.

On the other side of the football, Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph emphasized a similar focus as Denver’s defense looks to improve in big moments.

“I think part of us finishing is playing a cleaner brand of football for four quarters, and some of these games wouldn’t even come down to that,” Joseph said. “But when they do, we have to obviously make the plays to win the games. That’s been the conversation. But it’s more about the big picture, about playing a cleaner and smarter brand of football for four quarters vs. waiting for the last series of the game to make our plays.”

The Broncos have shown flashes of impressive play on both sides of the ball through three weeks, and reducing the penalties could help Denver maximize those moments and earn a win vs. the Bengals.

CAN PAT SURTAIN II SLOW DOWN JA’MARR CHASE?

We could see history on Monday night, as Surtain and Chase would become the first reigning Defensive Player of the Year and receiving triple crown winner to face off. A year ago, Surtain earned the award by recording four interceptions and 11 pass breakups, while Chase caught 127 passes for 1,708 yards and 17 touchdowns.

In their Week 17 meeting in Cincinnati, Surtain held Chase in check, allowed just three receptions on six targets across 36 routes run. Chase recorded 27 yards on those catches, averaging just 0.8 yards per route. When covered by any other defender, Chase caught six passes on nine targets for 75 yards.

Chase led the Bengals with 50 receiving yards in Week 3, and Jake Browning targeted Chase more than any other player. If Surtain can limit the Bengals’ top receiver and force Browning to look elsewhere, it could help Denver’s defense.

If Browning — who has recorded a 67.1 passer rating in 2025 — has to hold the ball for an extra moment, it could allow Denver’s pass rush to get home. The Broncos lead the NFL in sacks and quarterback hits through three weeks, and they’ll aim to get to Browning after he’s been sacked four times in a little more than six quarters of work.

Still, with Tee Higgins and Mike Gesicki in the mix in addition to Chase, the Bengals could present a challenge.

“Obviously, Joe [Burrow] is not there this year, but the team’s not different as far as the skill people,” Joseph said. “They have great skill. They have two receivers that are top 10 or 12 in the league. … That challenge is still there. The guy that’s playing for them, he has played in NFL games. He’s a veteran player. He can operate at a high level. He’s not Joe Burrow, but the offense is still intact. Those skill guys who can make explosive plays are still intact. Our focus is to keep the explosive players from hurting us.”